Comments on: Kameny house sold to private buyer

By: Mike S.

Mike S. — Thu, 31 May 2012 20:38:34 +0000

Frank Kameny, like many seniors, was “house poor.” He had few assets, and a very small Social Security income, due to the sad fact that he was fired from his government job in 1957 and unable to find a job – or a decent paying job – for a good number of years. He made his struggle public, and it became the Gay Rights Movement, but he sacrificed financially. I have read the stories of how he survived some lean times by eating a single can of beans a day, and have also read that he didn’t have enough income over enough years in his working lifetime to qualify for a decent sized Social Security check.

His house was his one tangible asset, and it wasn’t that well maintained. A year ago, he mentioned that the water heater hadn’t worked for three weeks, and – until someone helped him out by getting a new one – he hadn’t had a hot shower in all that time.

Old people are like old trees. You don’t move them. And Frank wanted to stay in his home – with all the old picket signs and priceless relics of his struggle – our struggle. He died in his own bed, in his own house, unencumbered, his life’s work finished.

I also gave to help with his funeral and memorial expenses. I don’t regret one bit doing so. And I don’t regret his decision – in his will – to leave whatever to whomever. The man who spent his lifetime fighting for our dignity deserved that dignity.

Enough with the fighting over his personal possessions. Enough with the sniping over his will. It’s Pride Week. Let Frank Kameny rest in peace.

By: NWDC

NWDC — Thu, 31 May 2012 19:14:06 +0000

The sale of the house now doesn’t mean that Kameny did not need money to live on day-to-day. As I recall from news reports, he didn’t have much cash or insurance to pay health bills and living expenses. The home sale proceeds may be going to his estate now that he is dead, but that didn’t help him while he was alive.

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 29 May 2012 23:20:35 +0000

Even more disconcerting is that the $725,000 is going to his ex housemate ! instead of to gay charitable organizations. The groups that solicited donations for him are partially to blame. I think these groups should have insisted that he take a reverse mortgage before providing donations. Many of the people who donated have a lower net worth than Kameny.

By: Dane B. McFadhen

Dane B. McFadhen — Tue, 29 May 2012 22:47:47 +0000

Jay, you gave from your heart. Maybe a few too many valves opened up and let you do a generous thing. I think you did a good thing no matter the outcome.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 29 May 2012 22:44:00 +0000

Too bad Kameny legacy ends up this way.

By: marl meinke

marl meinke — Tue, 29 May 2012 22:38:09 +0000

Let me clarify one of Lou’s statements: at the time the house was designated an historic site I was withRainbow History but retired in November 2010.

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 29 May 2012 22:02:44 +0000

The compassionate don’t generally expect those in need to sell their principal place of residence to meet their other basic needs. As I understand it, the SSI Program — the Federal needs-based assistance program for the aged, blind, and disabled — doesn’t require the sale of one’s principal place of residence, regardless of value. Likewise, there is no requirement to sell one’s personal belongings.

You were a good person to help Frank when he needed it.

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Tue, 29 May 2012 17:01:10 +0000

[...] Frank Kameny’s house was sold to a private bidder for [...]

By: Jay

Jay — Tue, 29 May 2012 12:58:12 +0000

I feel a little like I have been had. In the last year or so of his death, people put out requests for money to help him, saying that he was in dire need. I gave about a total of $600. Not a great deal. But it was under the illusion that Kameny really needed help. Had the people who made this request told me that people were buying his papers and that his house was worth $725,000. I certainly would not have made the gift, nor would (I think) many others. I am disappointed that Kameny allowed people to do that and that people were willing to prostitute his legacy in that way. I’ll know better to be more skeptical in the future.

By: Kameny house sold to private buyer | QClick Radar

Kameny house sold to private buyer | QClick Radar — Tue, 29 May 2012 00:08:47 +0000

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